AS the economy continues to crunch down on us all, and doom continues to rampage through our collective national conscience, it’s always nice to know there’s plenty of free gigs out there to enjoy.

Let’s face it - going to a live show can be an expensive business - and not just if you’re going to see the enchanting Tina Turner at the O2.

There’s travel, beer costs and entrance fees, not to mention the physical cost if you count injuries from enthusiastic mosh pits.

Of course, putting on a gig is expensive for bands and promoters, so they do need to charge most of the time, but it is always nice to enjoy a bit of free music every now and then.

And there’s plenty of it over the coming week.

Over at the Royston Arms, in Chingford, this Saturday (May 30) trio Hot Maegus take to the stage.

Hailing from across Essex, this experienced group play a funky mix of polished original material.

But if that’s not your thing, there’s always another superb What’s Cookin night on the same day (Saturday). Doors open at 8.30pm.

Located at the Sheepwalk in Leytonstone, the evening is headlined by blue country rock masters The Shotgun Heart Club.

Support comes from Jawbone, who play country soul, and bluegrass purveyors Buckshot Soup.

And then again on Wednesday at the same venue, What’s Cookin serves up another wonderful helping by playing host to The Epstein.

The band, who play a mixture of English folk and American rootsy tunes, are well worth checking out, having won Glastonbury Festival’s emerging talent contest back in 2007.

Support comes from the Treetop Flyers, who deal in “sun-drenched harmonies and folky Dylan-esque melodies”. Nice.

On Monday (June 1), Walthamstow’s Plough Inn, in Wood Street, hosts its superb weekly blues jam night.

It all starts at around 9pm, with house band The Blues Filled Saucepan taking to the stage, followed by an opportunity for blues fans to jump up and have a go themselves.

While at the Dukes Head pub, also on Wood Street, punk rock tribute act Scam 69 play from 9.30pm on Friday (May 29).